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'''Slavery''' is involuntary servitude to another person or persons, such that the persons held in bondage are considered to be property.  It reduces a person to the status of [[chattel]] who can be owned by another person. The selling price of a slave varied from less than that of horse to as many as a dozen horses.<ref>[http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/socialstudies/projects/jvc/unit/econ/msstatemsg.html Indentured Servants and Slave Prices] (forum post)</ref>

'''Slavery''' is involuntary servitude to another person or persons, such that the persons held in bondage are considered to be property.  It reduces a person to the status of [[chattel]] who can be owned by another person. The selling price of a slave varied from less than that of horse to as many as a dozen horses.<ref>[http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/socialstudies/projects/jvc/unit/econ/msstatemsg.html Indentured Servants and Slave Prices] (forum post)</ref>

The master controls and commands the slave, either through property-like ownership of the slave or by right to command him.  Slavery is at root an economic system, and flourishes where there is a high demand for labor and not enough workers. When the workers are pletiful, slavery dies out because it is unprofitable.

The master controls and commands the slave, either through property-like ownership of the slave or by right to command him.  Slavery is at root an economic system, and flourishes where there is a high demand for labor and not enough workers. When the workers are plentiful, slavery dies out because it is unprofitable.

Slavery is best known to Americans as a peculiar institution of the Southern states before emancipation in the [[American Civil War]] and [[Reconstruction]]. This was a case of racial slavery--the slaves were black, the owners were white.<ref> A few free blacks owned slaves--usually relatives they had purchased from whites. Indian tribes also had slaves, both Indian and black.</ref> see [[The South]].

Slavery is best known to Americans as a peculiar institution of the Southern states before emancipation in the [[American Civil War]] and [[Reconstruction]]. This was a case of racial slavery--the slaves were black, the owners were white.<ref> A few free blacks owned slaves--usually relatives they had purchased from whites. Indian tribes also had slaves, both Indian and black.</ref> see [[The South]].